There were a lot of rumors about the new iPhones due this year. It was rumored at one point that perhaps there may be a new high-end device called the iPhone Ultra. It would have been superior to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the company's current top-of-the-line smartphone. That didn't end up being the case as the Pro Max is now the most extravagant phone Apple has to offer in 2023.
The rumors about an iPhone Ultra haven't gone away, though. Some in the market now expect that Apple may unveil the device next year. This is based on the expectation that it's going to have features that will align with the Apple Vision Pro mixed reality headset due to launch in 2024 as well.
This is going to be a tall order for Apple. It needs to create meaningful differentiation between the iPhone 15 Pro Max, a $1,199 flagship, and the iPhone Ultra that's reportedly going to cost even more. There's no indication to suggest that the Ultra will be a foldable, so it's not like Apple can get away with charging $1,799 like Samsung does for the Galaxy Z Fold handsets. There's a limit to what customers will pay for a conventional device and if there's no form factor change, it would present a challenge in sales.
There's little clarity about what the iPhone Ultra will bring to the table. Rumors suggest that it could come with a faster chipset, a larger display, and more camera upgrades. Wild rumors have also claimed that it may have a port-less design, so even the newly introduced USB-C port would be removed.
Word on the street is that these camera upgrades will make it possible for the device to capture spatial photos and videos for use with the Vision Pro headset. The device will reportedly be able to capture immersive 3D content. It's unclear if this content will only be playable on the company's own headset. Given Apple's preference to keep everything within its walled garden, that's a possibility.
Would that be enough for Apple to justify the “Ultra” moniker? There will ostensibly be comparisons with the Galaxy S24 Ultra if this iPhone comes next year. Samsung has become synonymous with the “Ultra” moniker ever since it started using it with the Galaxy S20 Ultra. In the three iterations that have followed, each has been packed to the gills with the latest in mobile technology. Samsung's Ultra phones are some of the most advanced phones on the market. It's no surprise that the Galaxy S23 Ultra already has the iPhone 15 Pro Max crushed.
Samsung's Galaxy S series has personified the extravagance that comes with “Ultra.” Users know that every single capability of this device is unchained, free for them to utilize as they see fit. The company has also significantly improved the hardware and software optimization to extract additional performance out of the package. The Galaxy S Ultra phones now have a pedigree. They're proven to be among the best in the business so it's going to be tough for a new contender to shake that footprint it has created.
An iPhone Ultra, if it ever sees the light of day, may struggle to find the same level of mass appeal, particularly if its only possible to make the most of its capabilities with the headset. In case you forgot, the Apple Vision Pro costs $3,499, and to buy an iPhone Ultra for it that could cost more than $1,199 would be something not possible for the normal customer. At this rate, the iPhone Ultra won't represent extravagance as much as it would represent sheer madness.
It's clear as day right now that if you want a phone that has everything and the kitchen sink, you should buy the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Anything else is just going to be a colossal waste of money, no matter if it has a half eaten Apple at the back of it.
